The Fight Over Where Segways May Roam

February 04, 2003|By STEPHANIE REITZ; Courant Staff Writer

The imminent arrival of Segway scooters in Connecticut is becoming a war over walkways.

The 65-pound vehicles will be shipped beginning next month to anyone willing to fork over $4,950 and go through mandatory training at Segway's New Hampshire headquarters. So far, the scooters are available only through Amazon.com.

But should they be allowed to share the sidewalk with pedestrians, or moved over a few feet onto the road with bicycles and mopeds?

Legislators wrestled with that question Monday in a public hearing, but they did not make any decisions. Two bills have been proposed that would allow the self-balancing, chariot-like vehicles to operate on Connecticut's sidewalks, crosswalks, trails and other pedestrian areas.

For West Hartford police Chief James Strillacci, the answer to those proposals is a resounding, ``No.''

Shoppers, mothers with strollers and other pedestrians on West Hartford's sidewalks -- or sidewalks in any community, in fact -- aren't safe if they have to compete for space against vehicles that go up to 12.5 mph, he said.

``We're asking you not to chase pedestrians off the sidewalk in order to enrich a designer toy maker,'' Strillacci told lawmakers.

The two-wheeled Segway Human Transporter was created by inventor Dean Kamen and unveiled in 2001. So far, 33 states have passed laws allowing the units to operate in their states.

Some states give blanket approval for Segways to operate on the sidewalks, while others, such as California, leave the decision to municipalities. San Francisco recently became the first community to boot Segways off the sidewalks, citing safety concerns.

Matt Dailida, Segway's director of government affairs, told lawmakers that the response to the unit has been very positive, especially from senior citizens.

But the Segway riders should have the same rights as pedestrians, he said.

``We do not think the Segway is safe on the road with vehicular traffic,'' Dailida said.